PBM Avocats is a dynamic, geneva-lawyers.com-based law firm that brings together more than 21 experienced Swiss lawyers under one roof. Registered with the bar associations of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, the firm combines strong local roots with a broad, modern practice covering the key areas of Swiss law that matter most to individuals, entrepreneurs and companies.
From banking and finance to labour law, from real estate to family and criminal law, PBM Avocats offers both litigation and advisory services with one clear priority: putting the client at the centre of every strategy and decision.
A Dynamic Law Firm in the Heart of Geneva
Located in the heart of Geneva, PBM Avocats is ideally placed to serve clients in the Lake Geneva region, across Switzerland and abroad. Its lawyers act before civil, criminal and administrative authorities, and support clients at every stage of a matter, from the first legal question to complex negotiations or full-scale court proceedings.
The firm is structured to cover a wide range of practice areas while maintaining a human, accessible approach. Clients benefit from:
- More than 21 qualified, Swiss-trained lawyers with experience in both advisory work and litigation.
- Registration with the bar associations of Geneva and Vaud, ensuring compliance with Swiss professional and ethical standards.
- Flexible appointments in person at the firm or via videoconference, depending on your needs and location.
- Transparent access to an initial consultation to clarify your situation and options before you commit to further steps.
Multilingual Support for Swiss and International Clients
Legal matters often arise in cross-border, multicultural contexts. PBM Avocats is designed for that reality. The firm offers services in six languages:
- French
- English
- Italian
- German
- Spanish
- Albanian
This multilingual capacity enables the team to assist Swiss residents, expatriates, international families, foreign companies and cross-border workers with clear, understandable legal advice. Being able to discuss sensitive issues in your own language is a major advantage, especially in areas such as family law, employment disputes, criminal defence or business negotiations.
Key Practice Areas of PBM Avocats
PBM Avocats offers comprehensive coverage of Swiss law. Below is an overview of the main practice areas, with a focus on the concrete benefits for clients.
Banking and Finance Law, Capital Markets and FinTech
Switzerland is a major financial centre, and Geneva plays a central role in banking and asset management. PBM Avocats advises financial institutions, investors, entrepreneurs and individuals on issues such as:
- Financing and leasing arrangements.
- Financial market regulation and compliance with Swiss financial supervisory requirements.
- Capital markets transactions.
- Private equity investments and structures.
- FinTech business models and digital financial services within the Swiss regulatory framework.
The firm combines legal analysis with a practical understanding of how Swiss financial markets operate, helping clients structure transactions securely and manage regulatory risk.
Corporate and M&A: From Start-Ups to Established Companies
Whether you are launching a start-up or managing an established group, PBM Avocats supports the full life cycle of Swiss companies. Typical corporate work includes:
- Choosing the right legal form and organising the company structure.
- Advising boards of directors on their duties and risk management.
- Drafting and negotiating shareholders' agreements.
- Assisting with fundraising and entry of new investors.
- Handling mergers and acquisitions, both on the buy and sell side.
The goal is to secure your business decisions, anticipate legal risks and support growth, while maintaining alignment with Swiss corporate and commercial law.
Labour and Employment Law, Including Gender Equality and CBAs
Employment law is central for both employers and employees. PBM Avocats advises and represents clients in:
- Private sector employment law including hiring, employment contracts, workplace policies and dismissal.
- Gender equality law, for example in relation to pay equality, discrimination and workplace harassment claims.
- Civil servants law and public sector employment issues.
- Collective bargaining agreement (CBA) disputes and the interpretation or application of CBAs.
When problems arise, the firm helps you assess your rights and obligations, negotiate settlements or, if necessary, pursue or defend claims before Swiss labour courts and authorities.
Competition and Antitrust Law (COMCO)
Swiss competition law affects companies of all sizes, from niche market players to large groups. PBM Avocats assists clients with:
- Antitrust and unfair competition issues.
- Distribution and pricing strategies in light of Swiss competition rules.
- Investigations and proceedings before the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO).
Proactive competition law advice can prevent investigations and sanctions, protect your market position and support compliant business strategies.
Real Estate, Construction, Tenancy and Lease Law
Real estate and construction projects involve significant financial stakes. PBM Avocats covers a large spectrum of property-related matters, including:
- Spatial planning and zoning issues.
- Construction and real estate law in general.
- Neighbourhood disputes, such as noise, boundaries or easements.
- Expropriation law and compensation questions.
- Building contract law, including claims for defects or delays.
- Rent and lease law for residential and commercial premises.
- Mortgages for craftsmen and contractors.
For landlords, tenants, developers and owners, the firm works to secure transactions, settle disputes efficiently and safeguard the value of real estate assets.
Family and Divorce Law
Family law issues combine legal, financial and emotional dimensions. PBM Avocats offers measured, human support in areas such as:
- Divorce and separation procedures.
- Measures for the protection of the marital union.
- Dissolution of registered partnerships.
- Arrangements involving children, maintenance and parental authority within the Swiss legal framework.
The firm aims to protect your rights while encouraging solutions that preserve family relationships as far as possible, particularly where children are involved.
Criminal Law and Traffic Law
Facing criminal proceedings or traffic offences can be stressful and complex. PBM Avocats represents individuals and companies in:
- General criminal law cases.
- Economic and financial criminal law.
- Administrative criminal law.
- Military and juvenile criminal law matters.
- Traffic law, including serious road traffic offences.
- Cases involving the law on assistance to victims of crime.
From police questioning to court hearings, the firm defends your rights at every stage of the criminal process.
Tax Law
Tax considerations influence many personal and business decisions. PBM Avocats supports clients in understanding and applying Swiss tax law, for example when structuring investments, reorganising businesses, handling real estate transactions or managing cross-border situations. The objective is to anticipate tax consequences, remain compliant and avoid costly disputes with tax authorities.
Contract Law and Commercial Agreements
Contracts are the backbone of economic life. PBM Avocats assists with the drafting, review and negotiation of a broad set of Swiss contract types, including:
- Franchise contracts.
- Consumer credit contracts.
- Vehicle sales and leasing contracts.
- Sales contracts in general.
- Telecommunication contracts.
- Agency and distribution contracts.
- Public procurement contracts.
- Loan and brokerage contracts.
- Corporate and commercial contracts.
- Information technology and computer law contracts.
Clear, well-structured contracts reduce disputes and protect your commercial interests, whether you are a private individual, a start-up or a larger company.
Asset Recovery, Debt Collection and Bankruptcy
When invoices remain unpaid, PBM Avocats helps you turn legal rights into actual recovery. The team is active in:
- Identifying debtors and their assets, where possible within the Swiss legal framework.
- Debt collection and bankruptcy procedures under Swiss law.
- Requisition of proceedings and motions to discharge or contest enforcement steps.
- Motions for sequestration or bankruptcy.
- Actions to discharge debts or cancel certain proceedings.
- Challenging the statement of collocation in bankruptcy procedures.
The firm looks for efficient, pragmatic strategies to improve recovery prospects and protect creditor rights.
Dispute Resolution: Civil, Criminal, Administrative and Arbitration
Disputes can arise in any area of life or business. PBM Avocats covers a wide range of dispute resolution methods, including:
- Civil litigation before Swiss courts.
- Criminal litigation and defence.
- Administrative litigation against decisions of public authorities.
- Arbitration under relevant rules and procedures.
- Mediation, when suitable, to reach negotiated solutions.
In each case, the firm evaluates the strengths and risks of your position to recommend the most effective path, whether that is settlement, court action or alternative dispute resolution.
Other Areas: Social Insurance, Tort and Foreigners Law
PBM Avocats also operates in additional areas that are often decisive for individuals and families:
- Social insurance law, for example in relation to accident, disability or pensions.
- Tort law, including claims for damages following accidents or other harm.
- Foreigners law, including asylum procedures, residence and settlement permits, work permits, family reunification, naturalisation and short-term employment.
These fields frequently intersect with employment, family, criminal and administrative law, making the firm’s cross-disciplinary structure particularly valuable.
How an Initial Consultation Works
PBM Avocats offers accessible initial consultations so you can obtain clear, professional guidance before committing to a full mandate.
- Duration: around 60 minutes.
- Fee range: typically between CHF 60 and CHF 220, depending on the lawyer and the nature of the matter.
- Format: in person at the firm in Geneva or by videoconference.
During this first meeting, you can:
- Explain your situation and objectives.
- Ask targeted questions about Swiss law and procedures.
- Clarify which steps are realistic, urgent or optional.
- Receive an estimate or explanation of the potential costs and stages of the procedure adapted to your case.
At the end of the consultation, you decide whether to move forward. There is no obligation to open a full case, which allows you to use this session simply to orient yourself and gain legal clarity.
Why Choose PBM Avocats as Your Geneva Law Firm
Several features make PBM Avocats a strong partner for individuals, families and businesses seeking legal support in Geneva and beyond.
- Broad, integrated expertise: the firm covers banking and finance, corporate and commercial law, employment, competition, real estate, family, criminal, tax, asset recovery and more.
- Litigation and advisory under one roof: you receive both preventive advice and robust representation before authorities and courts.
- More than 21 lawyers: a critical mass that allows internal collaboration while retaining a personalised, human-scale approach.
- Multilingual services: advice and representation in French, English, Italian, German, Spanish and Albanian.
- Bar registration in Geneva and Vaud: a sign of professional reliability and recognition in both cantons.
- Client-focused culture: emphasis on personalised support, clear explanations and solutions adapted to your specific context.
- Accessible first contact: an initial consultation at a clearly announced fee range, in person or online.
Examples of Situations Where PBM Avocats Can Help
To make these practice areas more concrete, here are typical examples of situations where clients turn to PBM Avocats:
- An employee in Geneva questions the validity of a dismissal and wants to know what the Swiss Code of Obligations and local practice allow.
- A start-up founder needs a shareholders' agreement, investment terms and guidance on regulatory aspects of a FinTech project.
- A landlord or tenant faces a dispute about rent reduction, lease termination or defects in an apartment or commercial space.
- A couple is considering separation or divorce and needs to understand the consequences for property, pensions and children.
- A driver faces serious traffic charges and wants professional defence to protect their licence and record.
- A company suspects unfair competition or needs to respond to questions from Swiss competition authorities.
- A creditor has unpaid invoices and wants to launch or optimise debt collection and bankruptcy proceedings.
- A foreign national needs assistance with a residence or work permit, family reunification or naturalisation.
In each of these cases, the goal is the same: to create a clear, effective legal strategy aligned with your objectives and the realities of Swiss law.
Preparing for Your First Meeting With PBM Avocats
To make the most of your initial consultation, it is helpful to prepare a few elements in advance:
- Key facts: write down a short timeline of the events, including important dates and communications.
- Documents: gather contracts, correspondence, court documents, decisions, payslips or any other relevant material.
- Questions: list your main questions or concerns so that you can address them efficiently during the meeting.
- Objectives: think about what outcome you would ideally like to achieve, whether that is a settlement, a specific court decision, a permit, a contract revision or simple legal certainty.
This preparation helps the lawyer quickly identify the essential legal issues and provide tailored guidance within the 60-minute consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About PBM Avocats
Is PBM Avocats authorised to practise in Switzerland?
Yes. PBM Avocats is registered with the bar associations of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud. Its lawyers practise in accordance with Swiss professional rules and are authorised to represent clients before Swiss courts and authorities, depending on their individual registrations and rights of audience.
Does the firm only work with clients based in Geneva?
No. While PBM Avocats is located in the centre of Geneva and has strong local roots, it also assists clients from other Swiss cantons and from abroad, particularly in matters involving Swiss law or Swiss-based assets and proceedings. Videoconference appointments make it easier to work with clients who are not physically in Geneva.
Which languages can I use during my consultation?
The firm offers services in French, English, Italian, German, Spanish and Albanian. When making an appointment, you can indicate your preferred language so that you are directed to a lawyer who can assist you in that language, where possible.
What does the initial consultation cover?
The initial consultation is generally a one-hour discussion in which you present your situation and receive an initial legal assessment. The lawyer explains the main legal issues, outlines possible strategies and provides information about potential next steps and costs. You can then decide whether to proceed with a full mandate.
Which practice areas are covered by the firm?
PBM Avocats covers a wide range of Swiss legal fields, including banking and finance, corporate and M&A, labour and employment, competition and antitrust, real estate and construction, tenancy and lease, family and divorce law, criminal and traffic law, tax law, intellectual property, contract law, asset recovery, social insurance, tort law, foreigners law and dispute resolution in civil, criminal and administrative matters as well as arbitration and mediation.
How are legal fees determined after the initial consultation?
After reviewing your situation, the lawyer will explain the likely structure of fees for your case. Depending on the matter and applicable rules, fees may be based on hourly rates, flat fees for specific tasks or other arrangements permitted by Swiss law and professional rules. The firm strives for transparency so that clients can make informed decisions about the cost of legal action.
Whether you are facing a complex business decision, a sensitive family matter, a dispute with an employer or a criminal investigation, PBM Avocats offers structured, multilingual and client-focused legal support from Geneva, with a clear entry point through its initial consultation service.
